The Economic Divide

College Should Be Possible For Brightest Students

August 12, 1998

Today's booming economy is not benefiting everyone equally. While the wealthy make money on the stock market, the working poor are being reduced from full-time to part-time status and losing benefits such as health insurance.

The growing gap between haves and have-nots is further demonstrated by a recent study that shows children from high-income families are more likely to go to college regardless of their academic skills than children of poor families even when those children are excellent students.

This finding is something of a shock considering all of the state and federal programs taxpayers support to fund college educations for individual students. There needs to be a close review of just how that money is being spent. The brightest children should be able to attend college regardless of family income.

College admissions officers should seek out these young students the same way the coaches look for outstanding athletes and assist them with the daunting task of being the first family member to go to college.

This recent study shows that colleges are not the home of our brightest young people. They should be.